Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center is pleased to present Ravinia’s Steans Institute for Young Artists in a lecture/demonstration and concert.  These young musicians will present the free lecture/demonstration on Friday, March 20th, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. at Rockford College’s Maddox Theatre and then perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Court Street United Methodist Church.

The performance will honor the bicentennials of Abraham Lincoln and Felix Mendelssohn.  Along with works by Mozart, Webern and Felix Mendelssohn, the musicians will present the world premiere of James Crowley’s piano trio From The Earth, which incorporates Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address as spoken text within the movements.  Dr. Robert Head, president of Rockford College, will narrate the spoken text.

The free lecture/demonstration, which will be open to Rockford College students and to the general public, will be held at Rockford College’s Maddox Theatre at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20th.    

The Steans Institute for Young Artists is the Ravinia Festival’s professional studies program for young musicians.  In each of the programs, young artists study with an internationally renowned faculty of artist/teachers, participate in concerts given as part of Ravinia's summer programming and attend Ravinia concerts.  Learn more about Ravinia and the Steans Institute at www.ravinia.org.

Tickets are available online at www.mendelssohnpac.org, by phone at 815-964-9713 or at the door the night of the concert.  Please call 815-964-9713 for more information about the concert or the free lecture/demonstration.